MADISON, Wis. -- Nineteen UW student-athletes visited Oregon Middle School on Friday, Oct. 5, to help the school kick off its annual “Pride Run.”

At the school-wide assembly of 550 students, the student-athletes answered questions from students, spoke on the importance of goal-setting and anti-bullying and helped pump up the crowd with their dance moves.

Men’s basketball player Mike Bruesewitz would be quick to argue that he displayed the best dance moves. His teammates may argue, however, that he had the best answer to a student-led question.

In response to “What would you name your rock band," Bruesewitz replied, “The Ginger Wrecking Crew.”

The 6-foot-6 senior, commonly known as “Big Red," also won the award for best announcement -- his trademark hair was coming back. “I’m doing it for my sweet Grandma so that she can see me on the court,” he told the crowd.

Fellow UW men’s basketball player Ryan Evans also spoke to the students about the importance of goal-setting. The senior has developed quite the relationship with the school while working with the school’s administration for a class in the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis program at UW. Evans, having completed his undergraduate degree in May, is currently pursuing his master’s degree through the program.

His talk on the importance of goal-setting was followed by an anti-bullying speech from senior women’s volleyball player Alexis Mitchell.

“The words by Ryan on goal-setting and Alexis on bullying were timely and well received by our students,” said Oregon Middle School Principal Jim Pliner.

Though the student-athletes visited the middle school to help pump up the students, men’s basketball player Duje Dukan received some encouragement in return. As Bruesewitz led the crowd in chants of “Dukan,” the 6-8 junior dunked the basketball to the amazement of the middle school students.

“The entire crew was amazing and helped to make this a memorable experience for all of our students,” said Pliner. “The student-athletes are great role models for our kids and wonderful ambassadors for the university.”